Council approves left-turn lane to curb congestion

Bruce Walkinshaw - Penticton Western News Published: July 06, 2010 6:00 PM

Efforts to relieve traffic congestion on Government Street without removing bike lanes will cost the city about $40,000. Council voted 5-2 Monday evening to authorize the installation of a two-way left-turn lane up the centre of Government Street between Duncan and Eckhart avenues. Originally, when council voted to put the left-turn lane in, it was expected that the costs would be minimal as Government is in need of repaving. However, city engineer Ian Chapman explained that the cost began to rise after ICBC recommended various design changes to address intersection sightlines, road and bike lane widths and pedestrian crossing issues. As a result, Chapman said, staff added raised medians to divide those turning in opposite directions, new signs and painted-line modifications. “The main reason for coming forward is to advise council that this might be costing a little bit more than you had been expecting,” said Chapman. “So, this (presentation) is a courtesy and also to get formal approval to proceed on the basis of this higher cost.”

Councillors John Vassilaki and Dan Albas voted against the project. “A couple of thousand dollars I would not mind, but $40,000, that is way out of line,” said Vassilaki. Chapman said that the project was not simply adding a couple of turn-lanes but engaging in a complete change in strategy for the street. “You wanted a two-way left-turn lane created all the way down this road. It is a significant departure,” he said, noting that such lanes are uncommon in the Okanagan and a first for Penticton. However, the lanes, without medians, are common in the Lower Mainland. Mayor Dan Ashton began what became a somewhat-frosty exchange with Chapman by asking whether the city could leave the medians out, noting that traffic barriers had created problems on Warren Avenue. “The whole point of the raised median is to specifically eliminate the possibility of a vehicle entering the two-way left-turn lane at an inappropriate location,” said Chapman. “Instead of having a hard structure there, would it be more economical for us to put painted medians in there?” questioned Ashton. “Well, ICBC said that they are advising that raised medians are the appropriate solutions,” responded Chapman. “OK, but that is just advising,” said Ashton, pointing out that medians leading drivers from Green Avenue onto the Channel Parkway seem more economical and easier to navigate. “They are only (a little bit) high and they are stamped pavement so you can physically drive over those ones.”“That’s for trucks. That is not for regular drivers,” said Chapman, inciting a frustrated chuckle from the mayor.

“I’m just pointing out that you can drive over them,” said Ashton. “I’m just (asking) if we have thought this one through. Because all of a sudden we’re going to have hard structures on there. Does the possibility exist to have a painted structure on there? (Because) you said ICBC suggested, not insists, and that is a big difference for me.” “The big difference for me is that I’m being asked to attach my professional seal to these plans and my challenge now would be to challenge ICBC on their recommendations, which is going to take some doing,” said Chapman. After voting for the design, Ashton said that he wants staff to take another look.